Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 273: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food further to Parliamentary Question No. 234 of 29 September 2004, the grant aid returned to her Department by the company; the grant aid paid to the company in the past 10 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30260/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department, in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland, has been examining the position regarding contingent liabilities arising from the closure of the plant at Rooskey, Co. Roscommon. The total amount paid by my Department in the past ten years to the Company was €390,000.

Discussions are on-going between Enterprise Ireland and the Company on the possible level of liability arising from the decision to discontinue the slaughtering and boning activities at Rooskey, while retaining and developing the cannery operations from the Rooskey site, and having regard to the company's other significant capital investment in the Irish pork sector.

As the issues are complex, the discussions and examination have taken some time. Progress has been made and it is anticipated that a conclusion will be reached in the near future. Where any amounts are identified as due, the process of recovery will follow.

In the meantime Enterprise Ireland is endeavouring to stimulate further investment at the Rooskey plant. Discussions are at an earlystage and have yet to be comprehensively developed.